1. Chapter 18:
Avoiding the “Slippery Slope” of Ethical Problems by Using a Declaration of Professional Services

2. Overview Introduction Go over each section of the document
Go over similar documents from the psychology and the medical field
Questions
References

3. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone followed the rules?
To prevent ethics problems from occurring, the solution that the authors propose is the use of the “Declaration of Professional Practice and Procedures for Behavior Analyst?
Behavior Analyst face ethical issues on a daily basis
These issues are not huge ethical problems but as bailey puts it they are “tiny pings”
These “tiny pings” can catch someone off guard. Can anyone give an example of a small ethical issue they have come across?
Example: Parent asking about another child, parent giving you a small gift,
Clients have the right to know that you are practicing within boundaries of your expertise
The document has to be individualized based on your client : in home vs group home
Clarify rules and boundaries with clients at the inititaion of services

4. Parts of the document: Area of Expertise
Professional Relationship, Limitations and Risks
Client Responsibilities
Code of Conduct
Confidentiality
Appointments, Fees and Emergencies

5. Area of Expertise
Clients should know basic academic information about you
How long you have been in the field
Specialty
Where you got your degree, the training you received, the university you obtained your degree from, certifications and what did you get your degree in
Why is it important for clients to know our specialty? Give example from bailey book: Mom consulted consultant about child’s suicide and this was not part of her specialty because she was from a developmental disability field and advised mom to call a counselor

6. Professional Relationship, Limitations and Risks
What I do
Explain basis for behavior analysis services
Work with clients and rely on client’s input
Treating client and others
Why is this important: to make sure the client knows where you are coming from. It is critical
It is important to let clients know you work with significant others so family members will play a key role in the therapy partners if this is part of treatment design

7. Professional Relationship, Limitations and Risks

8. Professional Relationship, Limitations and Risks
How I Work
Work to achieve important life goals for the client
Important to state to parents that we do not make judgments about behavior
We reach out to parents, teachers and other individuals who are significant in client’s life (with permission)
We are not in the cure business and do not guarantee results
Strong selling point : we are not interested in changing behavior per se but we work together to achieve important life goals for our client
“ increasing personal effectiveness and happiness”

9. Professional Relationship, Limitations and Risks

10. Client Responsibilities
Expect full co-operation, honesty and involvement in clients treatment
Honesty and accuracy of data
Drugs and Medication that the client might be on
Include policy on keeping to appointments, tardiness, etc.
Drugs and meds can effect childs behaviors
Before treament begins good to know if client is on hollistic/strange treatments that the client is on

11. Client Responsibilities

12. Code of Conduct
Make sure clients are aware of the strict Guidelines for Responsible Conduct
Make a copy of the guidelines and highlight key sections
Direct them to the BCBA website and make them aware of it
Important to include a statement on gift and invitation to personal events/parties

13. Code of Conduct

14. Confidentiality
Inform clients that any information they disclose to you will be kept confidential
Inform clients of the limits to confidentiality
Check local laws on abuse and neglect to be included in your declaration
Limit to confidentiality: if you feel the individual is danger to himself or herself or others you can share the information

15. Confidentiality

16. Appointments, Fees and Emergencies
Spell out details on how appointments are made, how billing is handled and how what happens when emergencies occur
Rule for phone calls-giving out cell phone numbers? What rules do you have in place for this?
How is billing done? And state who should be contacted if there are implications.

17. Appointments, Fees and Emergencies

18. Discussion, Agreement, Signatures, Date, and Distribute
The client and the behavior analyst should sign the declaration
Witness should be present to ensure signatures are authentic
Date document
Provide a copy for the family and one to keep in your files

19. Discussion, Agreement, Signatures, Date, and Distribute

23. Universal Declaration Ethical Principles for Psychologist
Respect for the dignity of persons and people
Competent caring for the well-being of persons and people
Integrity
Professional and scientific responsibilities to society

24. Declaration of Professional Responsibility Medicine’s Social Contract with Humanity

25. Questions?

26. References
American Medical Association, (2001). Declaration of Professional Responsibility
American Psychological Association, (2008). Universal Declaration Ethical Principles for Psychologist
Bailey, J.S., & Burch, M. R. (2010). Twenty-five essential skills & strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York: Routledge Publishing.
Behavior Analyst Certification Board Guidelines for Responsible Conduct (new 4th edition)